A carer from Launceston has shared her positive experience of working in the industry in the hopes of encouraging more people into the profession.
A Cornwall-based charity is urging carers to come forward to support those with additional needs this winter.
Shared Lives South West (SLSW) is a highly regarded care provider, which specialises in supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental ill health, dementia and older people.
Helga Crosland, who lives near Launceston, has been a SLSW carer for many years and finds the role extremely rewarding. She currently supports Connor in her own family home and has a small holding, where she keeps cows and sheep.
Since moving in with Helga, Connor has got a job for the first time. Helga also helped him get his passport and go abroad for the first time and is going to learn to drive.
“I offer family support and the person supported live as part of our family. Connor, who we support long term, came to a wedding with us recently, we enjoy meals out together, holidays and have ongoing animal therapy.
“I also give people we support a sense of responsibility and I get the people I supported involved with tending to the animals and they come out of their shell and they love it.”
The charity is now in search for more carers to open their own home to support an adult with additional needs due to a growing number of people needing the service.
Those interested in working as a carer can apply online. Following their application, they go thorough an assessment process and are approved by an independent approval panel, before being matched with someone to support.
The carer and person supported both have to agree to the match before they move in and person-centred care is what the charity prides itself on. Once matched, people can stay for a short break or can live with the carer long-term.